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From Scientific American, December 8, 1894, an interesting view of two buildings: drawings that include both the above-ground portion of the buildings, more or less as you would see them, and the foundations as they could never be seen. The foundations are seen as if the earth had been turned transparent. The image of the […]
5 months ago

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More from Old Structures Engineering

Happy Christmas

I’m not so sure about that vest.

5 months ago 51 votes
Genteel

That’s the Hotel Marlborough at 36th Street and Broadway, shortly after 1900. The hotel opened in 1888 when the entertainment district on Broadway was further south; by the time it was demolished in 1922, that district had moved to Times Square, a few blocks to the north. It’s a story repeated for hundreds of buildings […]

5 months ago 55 votes
Once Again, In Plastic

The restoration of Notre Dame deserves all the praise that has been heaped upon it, but have I mentioned recently that my son and I have built the LEGO Notre Dame? We finished our small Notre Dame about a week after the official opening of the large one, but they had a head start on […]

5 months ago 49 votes
It Looked Familiar: Archetypical

From a graphic novel about art called Naked City: how do you capture the spirit of New York? A relentless grid and Old-Law tenements.

5 months ago 56 votes

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Reading List for 05/31/2025

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9 hours ago 1 votes
At First This Small Apartment Looks Simple, Then You Notice the Loft and Hidden Office

Located in Vila Mariana, one of São Paulo’s most traditional neighborhoods, this small apartment (398 square feet or 37 square meters) is a standout example of how compact living can be redefined through intelligent design. With interior design by RMV Interiores, the renovation focused on vertical space optimization and a contemporary material palette that balances efficiency with refined aesthetics.

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When There Is No Intelligence in Artificial Intelligence

AI is a tool for design, no more, no less. Humans are the creators.

2 days ago 3 votes
Can We Afford Large-scale Solar PV?

In the US solar energy has steadily risen in how much of our electricity it supplies.

2 days ago 3 votes
This 1800s Stone Building Became a Sophisticated Wine Tasting Room

In the heart of St. Helena, California, a historic 2,000-square-foot stone building has been reimagined as a wine tasting room that captures the essence of both European refinement and Napa Valley’s rustic charm.

2 days ago 2 votes